The manual gearbox has gradually become rarer throughout the Porsche 911 lineup, which is a shame for what is a sports car icon. Most recently, a stick-shift has been restricted to Carrera T and high-performance GT3 variants, leaving enthusiasts with no manual option between these extremes.
Thankfully, Porsche has responded to “overwhelming customer demand” and brought back the manual gearbox for the 911 Carrera S. Available for the 2027 model year, the new Carrera S with the MT Package combines the 473-horsepower flat-six engine with a more engaging transmission at a price point that, while still expensive, is far below what one would pay for a member of the manual GT3 family.
RWD, Manual, and a Howling Flat-Six
Porsche 911 Carrera S
Porsche
All the ingredients are there to turn the newest Carrera into a fantastic driver’s car. Offered exclusively with rear-wheel drive, the Carrera S with MT Package gains the six-speed manual shared with the less powerful Carrera T. It will be available in both coupe and cabriolet body styles, too.
In this form, the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six engine produces 473 horsepower, putting it comfortably ahead of the 388-hp Carrera T. Porsche hasn’t specified a 0-60 time, but it shouldn’t be too far off the automatic Carrera S, which completes the sprint in 3.3 seconds.
Porsche 911 Carrera S
Porsche
“As a lifelong driving enthusiast I’m personally excited to announce the return of the manual transmission to the Carrera S,” Timo Resch, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America said. “While some brands are abandoning the manual, we are proud to continue offering three pedals in a range of products that speaks to different use cases. Managing a clutch and shift lever isn’t for everyone, but for the drivers who want it there really is no substitute.”
Related: Stick Shift Fans Rejoice: Porsche Is Looking For Ways To Build More Manual 911s
Carrera S Manual Gets More Equipment
Porsche 911 Carrera S
Porsche
Porsche hasn’t simply replaced the dual-clutch automatic with the manual, though. With the MT Package, the Carrera S comes with rear-axle steering, a PASM Sport suspension with a 10mm lower ride height, the Sport Chrono Package, and unique exhaust tuning. For the first time, the Carrera S comes with center lock wheels on this variant, which save 17 lbs over the normal Carrera S wheels. Eagle-eyed Porsche fans will also notice Titanium exhaust outlets and a red “S” designation at the back.
Being a Porsche, there’s a long list of optional extras. Owners can choose from 17 exterior paints, over 70 leather interior configurations, several seat types (including folding lightweight bucket seats), and performance upgrades like ceramic composite brakes. With the exterior package, unique puddle lights that shine the six-speed manual shift pattern on the ground are added.
Porsche
The starting price for the 2027 Porsche 911 Carrera S with the MT Package is $167,100 for the coupe and $181,000 for the cabriolet, excluding a destination fee of $2,350. That’s pricier than the current 911 Carrera S automatic, which starts at $156,200 for the coupe. With all the options, the latest Carrera S is likely to exceed $200,000.
Deliveries for the new manual Porsche 911 will begin by the end of the year.
Related: The Porsche 911 Is Finally Depreciating Like A Normal Car
Autoblog’s Take
Porsche
The manual gearbox has become less and less common. Even enthusiast cars like the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Mini Cooper have ditched the manual in recent years. We feared the non-GT3 Porsche 911 lineup may go the same route, but the new Carrera S manual confirms that this won’t happen just yet. Including the different body styles of the 911, there are now seven variants of the Porsche available with a manual. While Porsche has confirmed plans to proceed with an electric 718, it’s good to know the German brand is still prioritizing cars that provide buyers with an engaging, analog driving experience.
Related: The 10 Most Expensive Porsche 911 Options in the U.S.
